Round Out Your Summer
See You Out There!

By Abigail Caron

As we approach August, some of us may already be eagerly awaiting the cooler fall weather while others are savoring the heat of summer. Either way, don’t miss out on these fun and challenging upcoming races!

Fairfax Egg Run 5K/10K – Traversing gentle rolling hills with beautiful views of the Lamoille River, the Fairfax Egg Run on Saturday, Aug. 1 is a family-friendly community event hosted by the Fairfax Parks & Recreation. There is a 5K run/walk, and if you are looking for more distance, there is also a 10K run. For young runners (12 and under) they offer a Kids Fun Run. The Egg Run is the final race of the Franklin County Triple Crown; the St. Albans Sap Run took place on April 26 and the Enosburg Falls Milk Run was on June 7. The goal of the Triple Crown is to recognize the importance of agriculture to the Franklin County region while promoting a healthy lifestyle for those who live there. Staying consistent with the titular egg theme, the Egg Run food tent will be cooking up made-to-order omelets along with other post-race refreshments. Get your egg on at runsignup.com.

Triquest Trail Run – Based at Okemo’s Jackson Gore area, this race will take runners on a 7.6M trail run to the summit of Okemo Mountain and back via a combination of dirt roads and singletrack hiking trails. The Triquest Trail Run is on Saturday, Aug. 8, but if you want to extend your weekend festivities, you can take in the Jackson Gore Music Series on Friday night, featuring Jenny & the Bets. On the day of the race, there will also be music at noon with Sammy B! The course consists of steep climbs and descents, tough terrain, stunning views, and will be sure to push you to your capacity. If you want to take it a bit easier, join the 1.1M Family Fun Trail Run. There will be awards for top three women and men, Queen/King of the Mountain for the Bear Climb segment, Best Running Outfit, Best Family/Group Running Outfit, and Average Jane & Joe. Whether you’re after the QOM/KOM or chasing the middle of the pack, register for the Triquest Trail Run at triquest.co.

Last Mile 5K Run, 1M & 2M Walk – The Last Mile 5K Run and 1M & 2M Walks are being held on Friday, Aug. 14 in conjunction with four bicycle rides on Saturday, Aug. 15. Taking place at the Gifford Medical Center, the Last Mile is a fundraiser to help families and their loved ones who are at the end of life with covering the costs of alternative therapies, transportation, family meals and portraits, and unique wishes. The run and walks start at 6pm on Friday, and the fun continues with a night of music, community, raffles, and great food. Every participant is encouraged to fundraise to support local patients and families. To get involved go to giffordhealthcare.org/lastmile.

Race to the Top of Vermont – On Sunday, Aug. 30, runners, hikers, bikers, and e-bikers will Race to the Top of Vermont at Stowe Mountain Resort. This year is extra special, marking the 20th anniversary of the fundraiser for the Catamount Trail Association in partnership with Delta Dental. The course ascends via the historic Mansfield Toll Road – totalling 4.3M in length and 2,564 feet of elevation gain – with rewarding views at the top. For some, it’s about achieving a fast time on the challenging course. For others, it’s about simply celebrating summer and supporting the Catamount Trail Association. No matter what your goal, it takes grit and determination to reach the top of Vermont. Once you return to the base, you will be greeted with great food, refreshing beverages, and high fives! Feeling inspired to take on the challenge? Visit rtttovt.com.

Vermont Senior Games 5K Road Race – In collaboration with Central Vermont Runners the Vermont Senior Games Association presents the 47th annual Northfield 5K & 1M Kids Race on Saturday, Sept. 5. Both races start at Depot Square in Northfield. 

The Northfield 5K serves as VSGA’s State Championship 5K road race and is endorsed by the New England 65+ Runners Club, an organization of active senior athletes from across New England and beyond. As an exciting end-of-summer community event for all ages, it’s the perfect way to kick off Northfield’s Labor Day weekend festivities and cheer on all runners. VSGA will award gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively, to the top three male, female, and non-binary finishers over the age of 50 in the 5K race. Proceeds from the races support both CVR and VSGA. If you’re over 50 and want to compete for a medal, or you simply want to support two great organizations, register at vermontseniorgames.org. 

Jay Peak Trail Festival – With seven races for all abilities, the Jay Peak Trail Festival is a unique trail running experience designed with the whole family in mind. It’s taking place on Labor Day weekend, Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 5-6, and features a 53.1K ultra, 22M, 11M, three 5Ks of varying difficulties, and an epic kids race. You can even take on the challenge of running all three 5Ks to earn the “Runners With Issues” prizes. The festival has earned several accolades, being voted Top 15 Best Trail Races in the US, Top 4 Trail Races for Kids, and Top 10 Family Trail Races & One of America’s Best Trail Races, as well as earning a place on the Masochist’s Ultra Running Bucket List. All races start at Jay Peak’s Stateside Lodge, and if you’re not yet convinced that you should be there, runners are encouraged to take advantage of the resort’s many offerings: an indoor water park, ice rink, climbing wall, arcade, and movie theater, plus three different hotels and condos to choose from and several restaurants to try during your stay. If that sounds epic to you (how could it not?), visit jaypeaktrailrun.com.

Wilcox Wild Ultra 50K – If a 31M rugged trail run on beautiful trails in the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest in the southern Adirondacks is more your style, check out Wilcox Wild on Sunday, Sept. 6. With a lollipop race route of mostly trails with minimal gravel and pavement, near the town of Stony Creek, NY, there’s an elevation gain/loss of 3,038 feet. With a 6:30am start and 5pm end, previous race experience is required. All runners receive a great catered postrace meal and beverages. Registration closes Aug. 23 at wilcoxwild.com.

Groton Forest Trail Race – Onion River Outdoors, a gear shop and community events organizer based in Montpelier, will again host the Groton Forest Trail Run this fall on Saturday, Sept. 12. A well-loved race, the trail run has a tradition of fun, community support, and excellent racing. You can choose between the 25K (15M) and the 12K (7.2M), both of which follow rugged, technical trails through Boulder Beach State Park in the beautiful Groton State Forest. You’re sure to encounter plenty of rocks, roots, and rivers along the way! Ready to tackle a race in this remote wilderness area? Register at onionriver.com.

Adirondack Marathon, Half Marathon, Relays 10K & 5K – An exciting fall weekend awaits you in Schroon Lake, NY! The 30th annual Adirondack Marathon & Half Marathon are being held on Sunday, Sept. 27. Want to do the marathon as a team? Join the competitive Two- and Four-Person Relay! The marathon, half, and relay are all set against the stunning backdrop of Schroon Lake, with a Paradox Brewery beer at the finish, overlooking the town beach. Top runners will aim for carved bear awards. On Saturday, Sept, 26, the Chestertown Rotary Club hosts its 5K run/walk and 10K run, as part of the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival, kicking off at the Chester Municipal Center before journeying through the streets of Chestertown. Also on Saturday is the 1M Kids Fun Run for ages 4-12 at the marathon/half Finish Line in Schroon Lake. If you’re wondering what to do for dinner on Saturday night, Paradox Brewery is hosting a special pasta dinner for adults and families. However you participate, it is sure to be an unforgettable weekend of distance fun in the Adirondacks! Register for the Marathon, Half, Relays, 10K, 5K & Fun Run at adirondackmarathon.org.

Paine Mountain Trail Races – Two competitive and technical trail race options await you at the fourth annual Paine Mountain Trail Races in Northfield on Sunday, Sept. 27. Choose to run the Norwich “Anchor” Challenge 6K or the Paine Mountain Summit 7.5M Race, both of which promise scenic and challenging courses, and raise funds for the Northfield Town Forest and the Norwich University Cross Country Teams. Plus, get the kids involved with two free youth races, a 200m kiddo dash and 1M Fun Run. Both trail courses begin at the Norwich Shaw Outdoor Center, right at the base of Paine Mountain, before climbing just over a mile through wooded singletrack to Cheney Field where the two routes split. The 7.5M follows the Paine Mountain Trail to the Summit (2,408’), while the 6K treks to the Norwich “Anchor” (the top of an old ski slope), which has become an NU campus landmark. Are you up for the challenge? Register at ultrasignup.com.

Mohawk Hudson River Marathon & Half Marathon – There's no better place to test your mental and physical strength than on the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon course, mostly along New York’s paved Empire State Trail, described in Runner’s World magazine as “simple, understated and stunning” and having “all the amenities of a major marathon with none of the hassles.” The half is along the second half of the scenic marathon course – think bike trails, city streets, river views, fall foliage, and perfect running weather. Mohawk Hudson is flat and fast, organized by HMRRC, attracting some of the best runners in the Northeast. This year’s races will take place on Sunday, Oct. 11, with the marathon beginning in Schenectady and the half in Colonie, before finishing in Albany. Both courses are point-to-point, so hop on a complimentary bus to take you from downtown Albany to the race starts for ease. If you want in on the perfect fall race, register at mohawkhudsonmarathon.com.  

Middlebury Maple Run: Half Marathon, 10K & 5K – Get ready for Vermont’s “sweetest” races on Sunday Oct. 18! With inspiring music along the course, the three distances follow a mix of trail, paved, and dirt roads with beautiful views of the Green Mountains and Adirondacks. However, it’s not just the runs that make these races sweet – pick up some great swag, take advantage of the grab-and-go breakfast, and visit Dr. Davida Murray from VT Moms Physical Therapy and Performance for post-race recovery services – and answers to your recovery questions! Even before race day, enjoy a free 18-week training program with your registration. For top finishers, there is Vermont Maple Syrup waiting for you at the end of your race. Want to get involved without running? Consider volunteering! To register for the runs or sign-up to volunteer, visit middleburymaplerun.com.

Abigail Caron (abigail@adksports.com) is an editor for Upstate Sports and Vermont Sports magazines. She enjoys any time that she can spend outside and is often found cycling, running, hiking, or skiing. Abigail also loves to spend time with her cat, Brick, and dog, Leo. She recently graduated from Champlain College and now lives in Vergennes, VT.